A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation timing on growth and flowering of Chrysanthemum morifolium cuttings. AMF inocula were either directly applied to cutting (AMFC), or applied at transplanting stage (AMFT). The data showed: a significant difference in plant growth of AMF treatment compared with non-inoculated treatment at transplanting stage. Rooting rate in AMF treatment was 99% whereas it was 77% in non-mycorrhizal inoculated. The colonization rate was 53.9% in AMF treatment, while no in non-AMF treatment. Tap root length and number of lateral roots in AMF treatments were twice of those recorded for non-AMF treatments. Inoculation of AMF significantly increased shoot and root growth at transplanting stage. After transplantation, chrysanthemum plants in AMFC and AMFT treatments had 76.42 and 64.24% colonization rate, respectively. Plant height, leaf area, root length, fresh and dry weight of shoots, stems and roots in AMF inoculation treatments (AMFC and AMFT) increased significantly than those of control plants. AMF inoculation significantly shortened flowering time compared with non-AMF plants. Fresh weight, width and length of flowers in AMFC and AMFT treatments were generally higher than those in control. However, a significant increase in fresh weight, width and length of flowers was found in AMFC compared with AMFT treatment. A significant increase of macronutrient concentrations in leaves was observed for AMFC treatment compared with control. Mn concentration in AMFC and AMFT was more than double of that in control. In roots, macro and micronutrient concentrations were generally higher in AMFC than AMFT or control treatments

Identification of bitter orange petitgrain bigarade oil produced in Egypt was studied by GC/MS on carbowax – 20M colum. It was found that linalyl acetate, which represented more than 25% of the whole oil was considered to be the major component of ester fraction; while linalool, which ranged from (30-33.7%) was the main alcohol components. On the other hand, limonene, (E)-β-ocimene,myrcene and β-pinene were the highest monoterpene hydrocarbons. Room temperature (about 20°C), 4 and -18°C were used for storing the samples for 6 mounths. No pronounced effect was noticed on the composition of petitgrain oil with the exception of slight effect on the color, acid number and solubility (v/v 70% alcohol) when samples stored at 20°C. Statistical analyses proved that 4 ºC could be considered the best fit temperature at which no significant changes occur in both the major chemical analyses and the main identified volatile constituents.

Field trials were conducted at El-Gharbia governorate to determine the insecticidal activities of chlorpyrifos-methyl, profenofos and methomyl on tomato plants against the cotton leaf-worm (Spodotera littoralis). Data showed the high initial mortality (100, 100 and 100%) against the second and the fourth instars larvae with reasonable persistence. The residues of these insecticides on fruits of the sprayed and contaminated tomato plants were determined by GLC and HPLC, with recoveries of 100, 100 and 94.58%, respectively. The initial deposits of chlorpyrifos-methyl, profenofos and methomyl were 2.10, 2.58 and 20.11ppm, while decreased to 0.19, 1.41 and 0.33ppm after 3,1 and 13 days from spraying, respectively, such residue levels are below the maximum residue level (MRL). The estimated half-life values (t0.5) were 0.4898, 1.026 and 1.1867 days for the same insecticides, respectively

The aim of present work was to study the toxicity of (mancozeb )Dithane fungicide on fish Claras lazera (catfish) and consequently to human beings.The fishes were exposed to Dithane in dose of 0.5 ppm /L (equivalent of 1/10 of LD50)for 30 days. Different Haematological, Biochemical, Bacteriological, and Immunological parameters were assessed. The results showed significant increase in Blood level of Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Cortisol, Urea, Creatinine, Glucose, Insulin as well as Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) and Alanine Amino Transferease (ALT)in blood. However there was a decrease in blood level of Iron and IgM, accompanied by decrease in Haemoglobin (HB), Macrocytic hypochromic anemia (R.B.Cs) count, Packed cell volume (PCV) which was observed in fish in 7, 15, 30, days after exposure to Dithane. The Haemogram shows reticulocytosis and increase in mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Dithane produces metabolic stress and cell damage with malfunction of haemopoetic system. Microbiological examination revealed a presence of pathogenic bacteria mainly E. coli, Flavabacterium, and Staphylococcus aureus. It was concluded that in catfish reared on low dietary carbohydrate (CHO) diet there was hyperglycemia due to increase in cortisol hormone. However immunological results revealed decrease in the level of IgM in blood; a loss of scales and petichial haemorrhage in parts of skin was observed. Ascitic and erosion due to complication of bacterial infection, was also accorded.

The effect of incorporating accustomed edible mushroom (Agaricus campestris) into processed cheese spread (PCSs) on the chemical, microbiological and organoleptic properties was evaluated. Tiny pieces of mushroom accustomed with steeping into citric acid and boiling in emulsifying salt solution were added to the blend of the cheese spread base at the levels of 5,10 and 15 %. The resulting PCSs were stored at 7°C for 3 months. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were recorded among the chemical composition of PCSs made without and with addition of mushroom. The incorporation of mushroom into PCSs resulted in higher contents of total solids, total protein, SN, ash, total carbohydrates and fiber, as well as pH values than the control spread. On the other hand, control treatment made without mushroom possessed the highest content in F/DM. Addition of mushroom to the base blend did not significantly affect (p > 0.05) in the salt and TVFA contents. The standard plate and psychrotrophic counts of PCSs made without and with mushroom showed slight differences when fresh and during the storage period. The standard plate counts slightly increased during the storage period reaching the maximum counts after one month, and then decreased with prolonged storage. Psychrotrophic bacteria gradually increased in all treatments throughout the storage period. On the other hand, no colonies were found from yeasts and molds, coliform and mesophilic anaerobic spores in all samples examined. Obvious differences (p < 0.05) were noticed in the organoleptic evaluation scores among all treatments of PCSs. The flavours of PCSs with mushroom were generally better and preferable when fresh and throughout the storage period. Addition of 15 % mushroom caused an over pieces of mushroom, which defected the body & texture and appearance & colour of the resulting spread. Therefore, PCSs with improved nutritional and functional values as well as acceptable organoleptic properties and good microbiological quality could be made by incorporation of accustomed edible mushroom into the base blend at the levels of 5 and 10% with refrigerated expiry period more than 3 months.

10%) with adding 1% activated commercial starter cultures of YC-X11 (Str. thermophilus and Lb. delbruekii ss. bulgaricus, T1), Bio Profit (Lb rhamnosus and Propio. freudenreichii ss. shermanii, T2) and LC 705 (Lb. casei, T3). Resulting cheeses were pickled into its own whey. The low-salted cheese was pickled for 6 months and the high-salted cheese after 9 months. Moisture, salt and yield of low and high-salt cheeses decreased with adding starter culture, while an increase was noticed in the acidity, soluble nitrogen (SN) and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA). High salt cheeses had significantly higher values for moisture, salt and yield with significantly lower acidity, SN and TVFA than low salt cheeses. The values of moisture, salt and yield gradually decreased during pickling while acidity, SN and TVFA significantly increased. Domiati cheese with starter culture had higher total bacterial count (TBC) than that of control being highest in T3. Increasing the salt in cheese milk resulted in lower TBC. Values of TBC increased in all samples during early pickling and then sharply decreased till the end. There was a remarkable inhibition in the growth of sporeforming bacteria and yeasts & moulds with adding starter culture. Sensory quality attributes of cheese improved with adding starter culture. Pickling of cheese up to different periods led to better flavour as well as body & texture but extending the period beyond caused lower quality. The rate of improvement was faster in cheese of low salt than that from 10% salted milk. Starter culture of Bio Profit (T2) produced cheese with typical ripened cheese flavour and texture and can be recommended for low or high-salt cheeses.

In present set of investigations the chemoprotective effect of green tea and ginger extracts has been evaluated using in vivo chromosomal aberrations assay in albino mice (Mus musculus). The organophosphate agropesticide malathion, 80% technical grade consider as a potent genotoxic agent, was given at a single dose 230 mg/kg b.w. (1/12 LD50) intraperitoneally. Pretreatment with 4 and 3% of freshly prepared green tea (GTI), ginger (GI) extracts, respectively and the mixture of both extracts (GTI+GI) were given through oral incubation for 6 days prior to malathion administration. Animals from all the groups were sacrified at sampling times of 24 and 48 hours and their bone marrow cells were analyzed for chromosomal damages. The animals of the positive control group (Malathion alone) showed a significant increase in chromosomal aberrations both at 24 and 48 h sampling time. The green tea and ginger extracts, alone did not significantly induced aberrations at either sampling time, conforming their non-mutagenicity. However, significant suppressions in the chromosomal aberrations were recorded following pretreatment with green tea and ginger extracts administration. The antigenotoxic effects of both extracts separately and in mixture were also evident, as observed by significant increase in mitotic index, when compared to positive control group. Reduction in malathion induced clastogenicity by both extracts, was evident at 24 h and to a much greater extent at 48 h of cell cycle. Thus results of the present investigations revealed that green tea and ginger extracts have chemoprotective potential against malathion induced chromosomal mutations in albino mice.

This study was carried out at Ras Sudr Experimental Station, South Sinai during 2001 and 2002 seasons. Four sudan grass varieties (Giza2, Piper, Hybrid102 and Is3214) were tested under five nitrogen fertilizer (Mineral and biofertilizer) treatments under two levels of irrigation water salinity (3700 and 9200 ppm). Growth characters i.e. plant height, number of tillers/plant, stem diameter, number of leaves/plant, leaf area, leaves/stem ratio, and forage yield (fresh and dry weight of stem+sheaths and fresh and dry weight of forage yield) were recorded. In addition, carbohydrates, protein, fibers and ash percentages (in leaves and stems) and proline in leaves were determined. Results demonstrate that the Piper variety had the highest value of forage yield compared with the other varieties. The recommended dose of mineral nitrogen fertilizer gave the highest values followed by mixture of biofertilizers (Azospirillum plus Azotobacter) under the two salinity levels of irrigation water at both cuts (the first one was harvested after 65 days from sowing date and the second was obtained at the same time interval). Moreover there was a significant decrease in all growth characteristics and the yield of four sudan grass varieties by increasing the level of irrigation water salinity from 3700 to 9200 ppm except proline in leaves which significantly increased by increasing the level of salinity

Twenty nine samples of locally produced honey and twenty two samples of honey pastes were collected from retail outlets in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Their antibacterial activity against some Gram positive and Gram negative foodborne bacterial pathogens using the agar well diffusion method was studied. In addition, the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined for honey pastes samples using the dilution method. All samples of honey had antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Salmonella typhimunium on plates of tryptic soy agar with varying diameters of inhibition zones. Samples of honey pastes showed also antibacterial effect against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Salmonella typhimunium adopting the previous technique. MIC varied between honey pastes samples where it was sample dependent.

temperature was studied during two successive seasons of 2002 and 2003 at Kaha experimental station, Agricultural Research Center, Cairo, Egypt (Latitude, longitude, and altitude are 30.8, 31.15, and 16.9 m respectively). Cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L. F1 local hybrid Sinai 1) were grown in clay soil under unheated two plastic houses. One of them was covered with one year old cladding material (PE 200μm) while the other was covered with new cladding. Soil surface was covered with different plastic mulch colors, i.e., black, silver, and transparent, in addition to a new suggested mulch that was craft-paper saturated with paraffin wax. Soil temperatures were measured at 5 cm depth. Global solar radiation and air temperature were measured inside and outside the greenhouses. The vegetative growth , i.e., plant height, leaf number, leaf fresh and dry weight, early and total yield were recorded. The results showed that new cladding cover promoted plant growth and yield. Craft-paper saturated with paraffin wax gave the highest soil temperature during the sunny days in comparison with other mulches and best results concerning vegetative growth and yield were obtained by both black mulch and craft-paper saturated with paraffin